Dry mouth and heart palpitations: what to know

Palpitations are sensations such as racing, pounding, fluttering, or skipped beats. Dry mouth may occur with dehydration, anxiety, mouth breathing, caffeine, nicotine, or medicines. The two symptoms may appear together during stress or fluid loss, but they can also have separate causes. Anaemia, iron deficiency anaemia, hyperthyroidism, hypoglycaemia, and an abnormal rhythm such as atrial fibrillation are among the possibilities a clinician may consider.

Keep a record of when episodes start, how long they last, whether the rhythm feels regular, and what you were doing. Note chest discomfort, breathlessness, dizziness, fainting, fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, and stimulant use. This information helps guide examination and tests.

Stop strenuous activity, sit quietly, and breathe slowly. Avoid caffeine, nicotine, recreational drugs, and decongestants until you have advice. If you may be dehydrated and can drink safely, take small sips of water. Do not change heart or thyroid medicines on your own. Arrange a clinical review for new, recurrent, or unexplained palpitations; an electrocardiogram may be useful.

Call emergency services for palpitations with chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting, new confusion, or marked weakness. Seek prompt medical advice if episodes are prolonged, keep recurring, or occur with dizziness. People with known heart disease, thyroid disease, or significant anaemia should use a lower threshold for assessment.

Ask whether your symptoms could relate to fluid loss, a medicine, blood count, blood sugar, thyroid function, or heart rhythm. Bring your episode record and a complete list of medicines, supplements, caffeine, and nicotine use.